Word Origin & History

abbe 1520s, title given in France to "every one who wears an ecclesiastical dress," especially one having no assigned ecclesiastical duty, from Fr. abbé, from L.L. abbatem, accusative of abbas (see abbot).

Example Sentences for abbe

It was not very late when she heard the Abbe Cornille take his leave.

This afternoon I have seen the Abbe Cornille, and he gives me no encouragement whatever.

They had waited until day, and the Abbe, having been notified, was about to come.

The Abbe Cornille, having mounted to the altar, had just come down again.

Then, all at once raising his head, he inquired: "And did you also know Abbe Peyramale?"

Abbe Peyramale was the parish priest of Lourdes at the time of the apparitions.

It was Abbe Judaine who gave the signal for starting on the journey to the Grotto.